This week, Disney+ unveils The Old Man.
The old man in question is former CIA asset Dan Chase (Jeff Bridges), who now lives a quiet life in the woods with his two dogs since he retired 30 years ago. His only real connection to the rest of the world is the phone conversations he has with his daughter since the death of his wife Abbey (Hiam Abbass).
But his quiet existence is soon shattered when a mysterious figure shows up. After taking out the assailant, Chase quickly sets up a cover story before saying goodbye to his daughter and going on the run.
Entering the foray is Harold Harper (John Lithgow), his former CIA boss who’s now a senior official in the FBI, and who shares a past with Chase that will unfold over the course of the series.
There are choices to be made which will affect everyone, and you’re not really sure who to trust as everyone is hiding something about the past.
Creators Jonathan E. Steinberg and Robert Levine, who pen all seven episodes and four of which were given for review, all the characters to develop in what appears as a typical cat-and-mouse chase but soon becomes something else entirely.
Lithgow and Bridges shine in their scenes and are honestly a reason alone to watch this series, but Alia Shawkat as Harper’s FBI protégé with a complicated agenda and Amy Brenneman as divorced property manager Zoe also shine.
A magnificent thrill ride, The Old Man has a solid start which may just see it breakthrough a crowded month of new releases.
3.5 stars
The Old Man premieres today with new episodes weekly on Disney+.
